Value #11

The gospel compels us to reach the unreached and help those least able to meet their own needs.

This value expresses our commitment to the
overarching task God has given us, namely the mandate to make disciples of all the peoples, races and tribes of the earth. It is, therefore, a value not only to meet the needs of our locality but those of other nations. We must make an effort in our giving and serving to see people brought to a saving knowledge of Christ and then into Christian maturity in the nations beyond our own as well as among the ethnic populations of our own nations.
In doing so, we should pay special attention to those who have not yet had the opportunity to know Him. This includes demonstrating the character of Jesus, the supreme servant, to those suffering, by showing them the practical love of God with food, shelter, and training so that they might be responsible for their own lives.
In 1999, thousands of Kosovars were massacred in the ethnic conflict with the Serbs; some 400,000 fled their homeland, many to Albania. I spent just a few brief days with some local Christians in Albania as they moved mattresses to provide a place to sleep, and gave their utmost material sacrifice to provide meals for thousands of Muslim refugees.
It was a living example of the love of Jesus shown through to those who had never encountered real Christians before. This “pure religion” (James 1:27), which is to care for the destitute, enabled Christ to shine through in purity and power. Many of the Muslims that came to the Lord are still walking with Him two years later, having returned to their homeland. My friends in the churches, through this sacrificial service, have been doubly blessed in return as the Lord gives the church a new favor in those lands.
As we seek to disciple all nations (Matthew 28:19), Jesus promises us that He will be with us (v. 20). We will know him as Emmanual. Our commitment to missions, therefore, is not a mere duty, but it is to walk into God’s promise of blessing.

Peter Bunton, England, is DCFI’s Europe Apostolic Team Leader.

Value #12

We are called to build the kingdom together with the entire body of Christ.

The days of trying to be just a leg or limb in the body
of Christ, and trying to get along on our own, should be over. Remember, we are part of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-26). God has called each one of us to take our place on the wall (Nehemiah 4) because there is strength in standing and building together.
Eleven years ago, I started attending our local ministers’ fraternal. At first, we were like a bunch of prickly, hedgehogs with easily irritated dispositions that couldn’t get close to each other. Why? Because of the insecurities, mistrust, pride, and inability to be vulnerable and love, value and honor one another. In fact, we couldn’t even worship God together or pray together very well.
Praise God, things have changed. Some of us desired more. Gradually, as we spent time praying and worshipping God together, love and trust was built. We started to see that there is no room in the body of Christ for competition and worrying about who is stealing who’s sheep.
At the beginning of the year, the pastors and wives from our area went away for three days with no agenda other than to focus on the Lord to worship and pray. This was a special time of building and strengthening relationships. We confessed our insecurities and our grievances we had against each other. We shared our hearts on a deep level, weeping and praying for each other.
We started to speak at each other’s churches, planned worship and prayer services together, and in general, worked together as the body of Christ in our area. What a joy it has been for me. My heart is full. We have changed from prickly hedgehogs to men and women who love, value and honor one another. Where there is unity, God commands a blessing (Psalms 133)!

Murray McCall, DCF New Zealand, is DCFI’s New Zealand Apostolic Team Leader.